Nevada Sues Federal Government Over Colorado River Water Cuts

Nevada has filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of the Interior, challenging a new water management plan for the Colorado River. The administration announced major water cutbacks for the Lower Basin states of Arizona, California, and Nevada, while imposing no mandatory cuts on the Upper Basin states of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo argued that the plan is fundamentally flawed because it places the burden of the shortage on the Lower Basin states alone. Lombardo stated that the solution needs to involve everyone, as Nevada could lose more than 70 percent of its share of the river. Arizona water officials are currently evaluating the lawsuit and the federal plan. While Arizona officials acknowledge the plan has legal flaws, they are seeking to formalize the cuts for the next two years to allow time for adaptation. The lawsuit marks the beginning of a potential legal battle over a water resource that supplies 40 million people and 5.5 million acres of farmland.

Sources

• KJZZ
  Nevada goes to court over Colorado River water. Arizona is still weighing its options
• The New York Times
  America’s Desert Metropolis Is on the Short List to Lose Water
• CNN
  Nevada sues the Trump administration over ‘catastrophic’ water cuts as the Colorado River spirals into crisis
• The Guardian
  Nevada files lawsuit challenging federal plan for Colorado River revival
• azcentral.com and The Arizona Republic
  Arizona can survive Colorado River cuts for now, but will need help